Wetherby Karate Club

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Wetherby Karate Club

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Wetherby Karate Club provide quality Shotokan Karate training in a friendly environment to both children and adults of all abilities from beginner to Black Belt As part of the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts, we are required to post the details of the KUGB Safeguarding Officer on our page for anyone who may wish to discuss a safeguarding issue:
Jill Kelly
KUGB Child Protection and Welfare Officer
Tel 07930 324 556
Email [email protected] - marked FAO Child Protection Officer "CONFIDENTIAL"

13/10/2026

The Japanese (Okinawan) art of Karate first came to Wetherby in 1965 when a gentleman called Hirokazu Kanazawa (see photo courtesy of the KUGB) was sent to the UK by the Japan Karate Association. Along with several other instructors, he was tasked with spreading the art of Shotokan Karate.

Sensei Kanazawa taught throughout the UK including Yorkshire, encouraging many people to take up this mentally and physically challenging pastime. In the 60s very little was known about Karate or indeed any other Eastern martial art as the Bruce Lee phenomenon of the 70s had yet to take place.

Since the 1960s there have been several Shotokan clubs in Wetherby, the last being Wetherby Shotokan Karate Club which closed down in 1999.

At WKC we are committed to bringing Shotokan Karate back to Wetherby and we would be delighted to hear from anyone who has previously trained in this style – or in any other style of Karate or martial art.

We are also keen to introduce new students, young and old, to this fascinating art which has such a rich heritage in Wetherby.

To become part of the Wetherby Karate family please contact Martin on 07753 244638, email [email protected] or visit
https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/

06/10/2026

Karate Competition………

At WKC, as part of the Karate Union of Great Britain, we are keen to compete against other clubs and their students.

Competition is a good chance to improve your skills, meet new friends and have some fun!

We recently competed at the National Kyu Grades (below Black belt) competition at Repton in Derbyshire. It was a fun day out with the added bonus for one of our students, Matthew, who placed on the winners podium in his first competition! Well done Matt!

To become part of the Wetherby Karate family please contact Martin on 07753 244638, email [email protected] or visit
https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/

29/09/2026

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!

Sunday marked a huge day for the club with two more 'home grown' Black belts!

Bella and Seb started training with us about 3 years ago and both passed with flying colours under the watchful eyes of Sensei Frank Brennan and Sensei Jim Brennan in Walsall on Sunday.

These 2 dedicated youngsters, aged 12 and 13, are a big part of WKC and their preparation and dedication really showed on Sunday during a rigorous grading where over 60% of the candidates failed to pass.

Well done guys. The hard work continues........

We have several more students approaching Black belt. Not everyone who starts their karate journey reaches this level but at WKC we firmly believe that it is within everyone’s grasp if that hard work is put in.

At the other end of the spectrum, we have lots of new students of all ages who are just starting karate with us

To become part of the Wetherby Karate family please contact Martin on 07753 244638, email [email protected] or visit

https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/

22/09/2026

CONGRATULATIONS!

Well done to all 40 our students who successfully graded last night under the expert and watchful eye of Sensei Garry Harford 8th Dan.

The night was also a little more special as it marked our 3rd Birthday!

The grading system is a big part of karate and provides recognition for all the hard work put in by all students. It is an important part of a karate journey and helps keep students motivated and have their progress recognised. More importantly it’s a way of showing that all of the hard work they have been doing in class is paying off.

At Wetherby Karate Club all gradings are overseen by a highly qualified independent examiner!

If you are ready to begin your Karate journey or if you want to carry on where you left off please contact Martin on 07753 244638, email [email protected] or visit https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/

15/09/2026

A FANTASTIC NIGHT!

Last night the whole club had a fantastic night of training with 2 sessions with Sensei Frank Brennan. Sensei Brennan is a great teacher and last night stressed the ‘basics’ of karate which are the foundation of good technique.

At Wetherby Karate Club we are keen to bring in top class instructors who benefit our students’ progression.

Last night was not only hugely enjoyable but also very thought provoking.

Wetherby Karate Club are now committed to bringing Shotokan back to Wetherby and we would be delighted to hear from anyone who has previously trained in this style – or in any other style of Karate or martial art. We are also keen to introduce new students, young and old, to this fascinating art which has such a rich heritage in Wetherby.

We train up to 3 times a week in the centre of Wetherby at the Town Hall.
if you’re interested in coming back to Karate or thinking of taking it up we’d love to hear from you. Please Call Martin on 07753 244638, email [email protected] or visit https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/

08/09/2026

Next Monday we are very pleased to welcome Sensei Frank Brennan to the club.
Sensei Brennan is head of the Karate Union of Great Britain and a world class instructor.
At Wetherby Karate Club we are very proud to be active members of the Karate Union of Great Britain which is the UK’s longest established (1966) Shotokan organisation.
This gives all our students many benefits including :
1. Independent and fully accredited grading from a qualified examiner meaning grades are recognised nationally and internationally.
2. Access to all sorts of courses at reasonable prices and in some cases free to continually improve our Karate.
3. A feeling of being part of a larger Karate ‘family’.
4. Access to some of the best Shotokan Karate instructors in the country.
If you are a new starter, some of these benefits may not be immediately apparent but at WKC we believe being part of this Karate ‘family’ has a direct impact on your training and karate development form the first time you step foot into the dojo.
Come and join us for a free Taster session to start your Karate journey!!
For more information Call Martin on 07753 244638, email [email protected] visit https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/
or pick up a leaflet from inside Wetherby Town Hall

01/09/2026

Karate starts and ends with respect.

Respect is at the heart of our martial art. Before training begins, our students bow to show appreciation for the dojo, their instructors and their fellow students.

Respect creates a safe and positive environment in which everyone can learn. Regardless of age, ability or experience, every student deserves to be treated with courtesy and consideration.

In karate, respect also means having self-discipline and control. True strength is not about intimidating others, but about controlling your actions and using your skills responsibly.

At the end of each lesson, our students bow again to show gratitude for the opportunity to learn and train together. Karate may teach punches and kicks, but its most important lesson is to respect yourself and others.

Would you like to know more?

For more information Call Martin on 07753 244638

email [email protected]

or visit https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/

25/08/2026

Train anywhere in the world!

Shotokan karate is the most popular style of karate in the world! Wherever you are you are never very far from a Shotokan karate club!

The Karate Union of Great Britain is a great organisation which has many member clubs throughout the UK.

Here is Seb, who is training hard towards his Black belt, training last week with a Shotokan club in Merthyr Tydfill where he found himself for a short period.

The popularity of Shotokan means that you can continue your karate if you find yourself moving out of the Wetherby area – going off to University, for example, or changing jobs.

For more information Call Martin on 07753 244638, email [email protected] or visit https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/

18/08/2026

Have you always fancied trying a martial art but felt you have missed your chance?

Karate is ideal for the more ‘mature’ students as there is no throwing or grappling on the ground. All the techniques we teach can be safely practiced way into so called ‘old age’. Our instructor is in his 60’s and so are quite a few of our students!

Karate is the ideal activity for the people in their twilight years for a number of reasons:

Karate allows people to work at their own pace. There is never pressure to keep up.
Karate is a low impact activity that works every muscle and bone in the body.
Karate trains both the body and mind.
Karate offers a journey for all participants to embark on.
There is always reason for every person to learn self-defence.

For more information Call Martin on 07753 244638, email [email protected] or visit https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/

11/08/2026

MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND IMPROVE CONFIDENCE!

At WKC we take children from 7 years old. The way we teach karate in a supportive group setting enable children to make many new friends and helps build self confidence. This is especially so for children who perhaps do not ‘fit in’ with team sports.
How Karate Helps Children Build Self-Confidence

Karate is the ideal sport for children for building self-confidence, balance, coordination, discipline and social skills. Karate has the ability to make your children stronger, from the inside out. How it can help:

Self-confidence
Mastering the various martial arts techniques is no easy feat and can work wonders for a child’s confidence levels. When a child reaches a new level it gives them a sense of accomplishment that is vital for their self-esteem and mental development.

Discipline
Martial arts are ideal for instilling a sense of discipline in a child in a number of ways. Firstly, it gives them emotional control and allows them to set personal boundaries. A

Decision-making
Success is often the result of good decision-making – and martial arts are useful for helping a child develop their decision-making skills.

Respect
Martial arts demand the highest levels of mutual respect among their practitioners. From the minute a child walks into a dojo, they must follow strict social etiquette when interacting with their instructors and their peers.

Focus
The complexity of martial arts systems means that a great deal of teaching is required before they are put into practice. As such, listening and concentration skills are put to the test when it comes to mastering martial arts. At a young age, a child is likely to have a relatively low attention span. This is why getting them to learn the importance of listening to, remembering and carrying out instructions is essential. There are few better activities than martial arts to help them achieve this, even if they’ve had problems focusing in the past. As an example, karate has been proven to alleviate the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Social skills
Throughout their lives, children will find themselves in unfamiliar environments among people they don’t know. Therefore, taking part in martial arts training as part of a group prepares them for this challenge.

Wetherby Karate Club runs from Wetherby Town Hall

For more information Call Martin on 07753 244638, email [email protected] or visit https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/contact/

Address

Wetherby Town Hall
Wetherby
LS226NE

Telephone

+447753244638

Website

https://wetherbykarateclub.co.uk/

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